One of my favourite days of the year is fast approaching. It’s a one -of-a-kind. It’s the only day of the year I ever bet, the only day I wear a fancy fascinator or hat and one of the only days of the year that I really let my hair down and have a great time with my gal pals. Alright, that last one may be stretching the truth.
Yes, it’s Melbourne Cup Day! My Dad was a mad keen punter and it was his favourite day of the year. It was tradition in our house for the boys to ring Grandad every year to ask him for his tips for the race that stops the nation. Grandad was never wrong! Not even once… I kid you not. So we all miss him sorely on this special day. Yet, I know Dad would still want me to frock up, grab a champers and soldier on.
We have so many Melbourne Cup stories! Like the year I ran the gambling club and sweeps at my school and we actually won the trifecta. Celebrations in the staffroom that day!
Oh yeah, and there was that time Emirates kept inviting us to the Birdcage and my husband didn’t tell me until later that he’d said no to the invitation…. Three times!! I’ll never get over it … Firass Dirani and Kris Smith were both there that year.
There was our short lived career as horse owners and there was the year that boob tube dresses were in and a lady stepped on her dress and flashed us all at a Golf Club luncheon. She bravely pulled it back up and kept going. Bravo! So many funny stories, wins, losses and fashion hits and misses.
I’ve been to many Melbourne Cup parties from my days as a young Mum when we frocked up and ate some cooked chook and salad at a girlfriend’s house, through to the Golf Club shindigs, rowdy days at Iceworks (now Darling&Co) and lovely days at Tattersalls, Lutece and Madame Wu. This year I’m heading to Jo Jo’s Restaurant in South Brisbane with friends for a lovely lunch, fashion parade from Bach living, sweepstakes, live entertainment and best dressed prizes. Sounds like we’ll be having fun!
Others that I liked the look of were the Bacchus Restaurant Melbourne Cup White Luncheon with a three – course menu designed by Head Chef Massimo Speroni, Moët, oysters and canapés on arrival. Brisbane bespoke jeweller and headpiece designer Bejewelled will be attendance and a White gift bag full of goodies will be going home with each guest. It will look sensational with white centrepieces and guests all dressed in white. The event is raising funds through its raffles for the Children’s Hospital Foundation ….another good reason to head along.
Byblos, Portside Wharf are hosting a pretty Garden Party. At Matt Moran’s Little Big House and Riverbar and Kitchen there are free events for the city slickers plus a $50 option upstairs at Little Big House which includes a champagne or beer on arrival plus four hours of roving canapés. Make sure you try the chicken parmie spring rolls. Or why not head out to Doomben racecourse for a variety of events on offer trackside.
Wherever you are enjoy this uniquely Australian day full of fashion, sweepstakes, racing and fun. Do you love Melbourne Cup Day? What are your plans for the day? Whatever you do I hope you have a win and enjoy the excitement of the race that stops a nation.
Michelle Beesley is a Brisbane born and bred former primary school teacher. A wife, proud grandma and mother of three grown sons, Michelle is thrilled to have recently published her debut contemporary romance novel, It Happened in Paris, with Serenade Publishing. Her novella – Escape to D’ Amour was published in 2019. Michelle’s work can be found in the anthologies – Destination Romance and Short & Sweet. When not reading or writing Michelle can be found at a coffee shop chatting with friends, front row at a fashion show, or beside a rugby union field cheering on her favourite teams.
Michelle is a reluctant traveller, Francophile, keen walker and avid yoga enthusiast plus a book, film and theatre lover who loves everything pink and sparkly (including champagne). You can find Michelle on instagram @michellebeesley_writer and her website: michellebeesley.com.
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